Hello 2010 and Sugar Bowl Challenge

Well.  I cannot believe we are already well into February and I have not posted since November.  I've got an excuse for December but I don't know what's happened since then.  Not true really, I've not been doing much in the way of crafting - think I overkilled on crimbo cards and just kind of lost my mojo.

Anyway, although I've not been crafting much, I have been exercising and even managed to do my back in because I went in for overkill.  My really good news is that I reached my goal weight at weight watchers on 4 January - actually lost a little bit over Christmas and New Year and I have now lost 48 pounds in total (that's 3 stone, 6 pounds - a small child!).  I just need to keep it off now and that's where the exercise comes in - I've even started a running programme.

On the crafting front I have a few birthdays coming up in February which was my encouragement to get back in the craft room.  The challenge on The Sugar Bowl  was a sketch which had to include lace and obviously a sugar nellie image.  I came up with this easel card:

I must admit that I found the sketch a bit of a challenge but I was quite pleased with the finished effort.  It's taken me days to get round to getting it photographed - and it's not the best photo.  Might be treating myself to a new camera sometime soon.

The images are Sugar Nellie Manga Stamps, coloured with copics, the papers from a Papermania Honey and Hugs set (very cute), Cuttlebug embossing folder and the rest of the stuff was from my stash.  Got just over an hour before the challenge closes - talk about cutting it fine.

Take Care

Laurane x

Winter Wonderland

Challenge 19 on Die Cut Dreams is winter wonderland.  Funnily enough, one of the new stamps I got from FunkyKits the other day was called ...... 'Winter Wonderland' - so this must fit the challenge. 

I saw a fantabulous easel card a few weeks ago on Scrapbitz from Suzanne Dean and have been dying to try it out.  If you've not checked out her blog it is truly amazing - I'm sure the woman doesn't sleep.

Here's a close-up

Continuing my pink christmas theme, I have used the DCWV Rose Tinted Christmas papers and coloured my image with copics.  I used Fluffy Stuff for the snowflakes.

I spent the day today at the Craft for Christmas show and had a fabby time - spent too much money as always on stuff I didn't need - but I think everyone who goes does the same.  As someone said to me today, 'it's not a question of need!'  Anyway, I need a cup of tea now before I come back to play with my new stuff from today.

Take care

Laurane x

Manga Christmas Fairy

I got this fabby Sugar Nellie Manga Fairy from FunkyKits and the sketch on  Friday Sketchers was just perfect for this - helping me get on with my Christmas cards for this year.  It is a really good layout and fairly quick to make.

I think I'm going to go for a pink theme for Christmas cards this year.  The papers I used for this were from DCWV Rose Tinted Christmas and they are really lovely - I always find Christmas cards using the traditional reds and greens hard but I don't think I'll have any probs with these papers.

Off to the SECC in Glasgow tomorrow for the Crafts for Christmas show - always fab demonstrations and always spend too much!  Can't wait.

Laurane x

Blue Christmas

The challenge over at Stamp Something is 'bling'.  As you might be able to tell 'bling' in the form of glitter and gloss is one of my favourite things - I'm a bit of a sucker for sequinny clothes although I don't get much of a chance to wear them.  I think I must be a frustrated ballroom dancer ..... and don't get me started on fringes!

Anyway, I made this Christmas card :

The papers are Provo Craft Christmas Cheer and the images are Penny Black 'Critters Holiday'.  I coloured the images with copics and highlighted with sakura glitter pens.  The baubles were also covered in glossy accents.  I tried loads of photos to get the glitter and gloss but it wasn't really happening although if you click on the images you can see the 'bling' much more clearly.  Here's a close-up

Karen's Challenge 41 at Charisma Cards is 'distressing'.  She reckoned it would be good therapy to get tearing and ripping - I have to say I think she was right - this was fun.

I have to say I just love, love love this Daisy image which is an Elisabeth Bell Sugar Nellie one - I can't help smiling when I see her.  The papers are K & Co Classic Bailey and I thought they tied in pretty well with the distressing theme - I just set to with a pair of scissors.  I spent ages trying out different embellishments but nothing seemed to work so I've just left it plain for now.

I just got a couple of new stamps delivered today from Funky Kits and I'm off to play.

Thanks for looking

Laurane x

Stamp Something

The latest challenge over at Stamp Something is to use your favourite colour or papers.  Now I'm normally a pink kind of gal but I've come over all autumnal just now and I made this card using reds - it's for my sister's 40th - I can't believe it!

The paper is from K & Co Classic K Bailey which is gorgeous.  The image is Gorjuss Sitting from Sugar Nellie which I've coloured with copics (I was quite pleased with her hair - I'm pretty new to this copic larky).  The flowers, in my new favourite red, are from Petaloo.  The text is printed from the computer and layered up with nestabilities.

Laurane x

Thinking of you

I just heard that my cousin Fiona is in hospital and not very well.  I made her this card to let her know that I'm thinking of her - hope she's better soon.

The image is Sweet & Sassy by Elisabeth Bell from the fabulous Funky Kits which I coloured with copics (I'm only just starting).  The rest of the card was made from my stash.

Laurane x